Refreshing your menu with new desserts can create excitement and help you increase profits, and doesn’t have to require a lot of #me or labor. Desserts that keep diners interested can take on a new identity in presentation or flavor with relatively simple upgrades.

Of course, there will always be room on the menu for time-tested favorites like classic flavors of cakes, pies, cookies and cobblers. In fact, maintaining some best-selling staples is a smart strategy. Many guests will opt for a familiar source of sweet comfort. But innovative spins are equally important. 

Tip: Overall, the availability of free samples and familiar desserts that feature a new twist are the most effective motivators to encourage new dessert trials. Consider this when adding new menu items!

Flip-flop your flavors

A simple flavor flip is one of the easiest ways to refresh an existing dessert on your menu. Just add new and different ingredients to your existing recipes.

Top with or blend in inclusions like chocolate chips, candy or fruit chunks to mix up the taste. Stirring in or drizzling with a unique sauce or syrup can add an entirely new dimension.

Source: Nestlé Professional/Southern Graphic Systems LLC

Cake, for example, has a projected growth of 44.7% in menu penetration by 2027(1) and provides a great base in which to get creative. Add a chocolate ganache to the batter for an irresistible gooey center or fruity jams as layers or in frosting. Tempt adventurous eaters with global accents, like yuzu, miso or earl grey.

Get Started: Nestlé ingredients make it easy to change things up with a different flavor profile or texture. Try Nestlé® Toll House® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Morsels, Nestlé® Toll House® Brownie Baaer, LIBBY’S® Pumpkin and Nestlé® Carnation® Evaporated Milk.

Play to the Season

As menus lean into seasonal trends, your dessert offering should follow. Use seasonally relevant fruit and spices as the centerpiece or as an accent. Incorporate pumpkin, figs and cinnamon for fall desserts, berries or melon for summer, and apples or cranberries in winter months.

Source: vaaseenaa - stock.adobe.com

You can also vary the temperature and weight of desserts. Cold weather means warm baked desserts with a heartier feel, while summertime calls for lighter chilled desserts like ice cream- based desserts.

Holiday-themed desserts are always a hit. Make the most of mint-based treats or key lime pie for St. Patrick’s day. Leverage red velvet for Valentines Day. Or let your decorating style speak for the season, with cake or cupcake icing that reflects local sports team colors.

Get Started: Look to Libby’s® 100% Pure Pumpkin beyond pumpkin pie. Use it to add a festive feeling to all kinds of cakes, cookies and even breakfast items.

Let diners take the lead

Dessert customization not only allows diners to mix and match their favorite ingredients but appeases the picky eater. Here are some simple ways to serve it up:

Ice cream creations. From sundaes to shakes, offer up a personalized sweet experience with a range of choices in flavors, toppings and sauces.

Bite-sized confections. Mini is mighty and diners love small pop-able desserts for an instant sugar-rush. Offer guests a selection of tiny tarts, parfaits, pies, cookies and more.

Get saucy!

Letting diners choose their own sauce is another great way to customize. Sauces can add value, allowing you to elevate desserts to premium status and charge more.

• Go spicy and sweet with a cayenne and cherry combo
• Utilize tropical flavors like coconut, pineapple or mango
• Explore botanicals like lavender or elderberry
• Jazz it up with a chocolate espresso sauce
• Add a hint of liqueur and make a brandy butter sauce

Indulge in the trends

63% of consumers say they’ve had a dessert within the past day and 21% have one every day (2). That means there’s major demand for plentiful dessert menu options. Here’s what’s trending now:

• Seasonal desserts
• Mini desserts
• Nostalgic desserts
• Desserts featuring savory flavors
• Globally inspired desserts
• Photo-ready desserts
• Jumbo Desserts
• Diet-specific desserts

1) Datassentials, Menu Trends YE Dec ‘23

2) Datassentials, Desserts Keynote Report, 2023